*2.4.3.1.2 Sublethal effects of acaricides on biological performance of treated females*

Leaf discs with 3.3 cm diameter were treated with sublethal concentrations (LC10, 20, 30) of acaricides and distilled water (as control) and then let to dry. The discs were placed on cotton pads as the same manner as rearing arena [39]. 40 less than 24-h-old unmated females were used in each concentration and stored at 27 ± 1°C, 50% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). After 72 h treated mites were considered as alive if they were able to move for a distance without losing their balance during the movement and did not turn upside down. The survived females were selected for assessing sublethal effects of acaricides on them. Then each female was exposed to an untreated male from stock colony. Mortality and oviposition were recorded daily until the death of the last female in both treatments and controls. The dead males were replaced with new ones through the experiments.
